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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/07/24 Item 4 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT 7/24/07, Item~ ITEM TITLE: PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND AUTHORIZING THE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE RATE ADJUSTMENT FOR 2007-08 AND SUBSEQUENT RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE TERM OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND AUTHORIZING THE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE RATE ADJUSTMENT FOR 2007-08 AND SUBSEQUENT RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE TERM OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT DIRECTOR OF GENERA7f1.Wif}fES ~ CITY MANAGER V)--- ACTING ASSISTANT T MANAGER ST SUBMITTED BY: REVIEWED BY: 4/5THS VOTE: YES 0 NO ~ BACKGROUND The City of Chula Vista has had a franchise agreement for solid waste and recycling services in place for eight years. Per the terms and conditions of that agreement the contractor is entitled to an annual rate adjustment. Thus, the issues of whether a rate adjustment is appropriate and if so, how much the adjustment should be are not negotiable at this time. The adjustment formula has some very specific limiting factors, which ensure that the ratepayers of Chula Vista will continue to have some of the lowest rates for service in San Diego County. However, due to a recent California Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 218 (July 24,2006, Bighorn- Desert View Water Agency v. Beringson) refuse collection rates, when set by a government agency are subject to the majority protest regulations within California Constitution, Article XIII D, Section 6. The City Attorney's office has reviewed this proposed rate adjustment in light of Proposition 218 requirements and determined that refuse service rates are subject to the majority protest requirement that includes a written notice to the recorded property owner of each parcel and a public hearing at least 45 days after the notice is mailed. Therefore, staff prepared the public notice which included the maximum amount of the proposed fee, the basis for the calculation, the reason for the fee, and the time, date and location of the public hearing. The fees cannot exceed the funds required to provide the service; shall not be used for any purpose other than that for which the fee is imposed; shall not exceed the proportional cost of the service attributable to the property; and the fee must be for service that is actually used by or immediately available to the property owner. 4-1 ;.l 7/24/07, Item~ Page 2 of 3 On May 25, 2007 public notice was sent to all property owners of record in the City of Chula Vista outlining the process for annual rate adjustments for General Service Rates for solid waste services as defined in the Amended and Restated Solid Waste and Recycling Franchise Agreement. A copy of the public notice has been included with this package. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. RECOMMENDATION Conduct the public hearing and adopt the resolution accepting the rate adjustment calculation for 2007-08 and subsequent rate adjustments per the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Recycling and Solid Waste Franchise Agreement and Proposition 218 requirements. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Not applicable. DISCUSSION Per the Amended and Restated Solid Waste and Recycling Franchise Agreement the contractor is entitled to an annual rate increase for General Service Rates within the following prescribed terms and conditions. The City Manager or designee reviews the rates for compliance with these terms and conditions. I. The annual adjustment amount does not exceed sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66.66%) of the increase in the San Diego Area Consumer Price Index (Cpr) for all urban consumers (all items) published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics for the previous twelve- month period (calendar year) for which statistics are available. cpr for 2006 = 3.4% X 66.66% = 2.27% 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at no time shall the Small Quantity Generator Rates (SQG - cart service) exceed ninety percent (90%) of the average for the County of San Diego for the same level of service - approximately 60 gallon cart rate or standard service rate after subtracting any pass-through fees or local subsidies. This limitation is to be applied only to determine whether the Contractor is entitled to the full cpr adjustment on SQG rates, as described above. (Staff is currently working through the rate survey comparison for 2007-08 and will ensure that the SQG rates will comply with this limiting factor.) Mean County Average X 90% = Maximum rate for SQG Rate adjustments are effective annually on July I for Large Quantity Generators (commercial and industrial bin service) and September I for all Small Quantity Generators (cart service customers). The acceptance of this rate adjustment formula will be for the current fiscal year and subsequent rate adjustments subject to the same terms and conditions as described above and in the Amended and Restated Recycling and Solid Waste Franchise Agreement for the duration of the Agreement. Subsequent rate adjustments do not require Council action and will be brought forward as information items. 4-2 7/24/07, Item~ Page 3 of3 Basic Monthlv Rates with Prouosed AD 939 Fee and Pronosed cpr Rate Ad;ustment Present Rates p, o osed Maximum Rates 32 Gal 64 Gal 96Ga! 3YDBin 32 Gal 64 Gal 96 Gal 3YDBin Proposed , 10,90 , 14.12 $ 16.60 $ 78.78 CPIAdj. 2.27% $ 11.16 $ 14.46 $ 16.98 $ 80.67 66.66% of 3.4% Franchise 8.0'% S 0.87 $ 1.13 $ 1.33 , 6.30 8.0% $ 0.89 $ 1.16 $ 1.36 $ 6.45 F" Proposed AB939 Fee 2.5% , 0.27 $ 0.35 $ 0.42 , 1.97 AD 939 5.0'~o $ 0.56 $ 0.72 , 0.85 $ 4.03 Adi. Prop 218 $ - $ - $ - , - Mailing $ 0.05 $ n05 , 0.05 $ 0.05 Costs Total $ 12.04 $ 15.60 $ 18.35 $ 87.05 Total $ 12.66 $ 16.39 $ 19.24 $ 91.21 DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500 foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section I 8704.2(a)(I) is not applicable to this decision. FISCAL IMPACT Acceptance of this rate adjustment and subsequent adjustments per the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Solid Waste and Recycling Franchise Agreement will not impact the General Fund. ATTACHMENTS Copy of Notice of Public Hearing Prepared by: Lynn France, Environmental Services Program Manager, General Services Department M:\General Services\GS Administration\Council Agenda\Environmental\Trash rate adj PH AIl3, 7.24-07.doc 4-3 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING in Conformance with Article XIIID of the California State Constitution and the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act. In compliance with Article XIIID of the California State Constitution and the Proposition 218 Omnibus Implementation Act, the City of Chula Vista is hereby notifying all affected property owners of the proposed AS 939 fee increase on all General Service Rates for Solid Waste and the annual rate adjustment of General Service Rates for Solid Waste Services. Both rate adjustments are effective July " 2007 for Large Quantity Generators (commercial and industrial bin service customers) and September 1, 2007 for all Small Quantity Generators (cart service customers). PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION Public Hearings on these two items will be held on July 24, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. at 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California 91910 in the City Council Chambers. All protests on these items must be s,tbmitted in writing to the City Clerk's office by 5:00 p.m. on July 24, 2007 and will also be accepted it1 the Council Chambers at the respective public hearing. All written protests must be signed by the ~perty owner and contain a description of the property (address and/or Assessor Parcel Number). At the Public Hearings, City Council will receive all final tabulation of all written protests received by the City Clerk's Office and will accept additional written protests. The Council will then consider and may adopt the proposed items. Please send your written protest to: City of (hula Vista, Office of the City Clerk 276 Fourth Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Or fax to: (619) 585-5774 Protests sent by emaif will not be considered. All written protests must be signed by the property owner and contain a description of the property (address and/or Assessor Parcel Number) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Why did I get this mailing? This mailing serves as a notice for the proposed one time rate increase in the AS 939 fee, which is collected on the solid waste services invoice. Additionally, this mailing also serves as notice for the annual General Service Rate adjustment for Solid Waste Service Rates provided by a private Contractor for the term of the Agreement. Do I have to respond to this notice? No, you do not have to respond to this notice. If, hoyvever, you feel strongly opposed to the fee increase or the General Service Rate adjustment you can file your written protest with the City Clerk's office as described in the section above. What if I have more questions? If you have questions about your waste services you may call 619 691-5122, or email the City at Environmenta IServices@ci.chula-vista.ca.us. ~qft-. ~ (In'0F (HULA VISTA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED AB 939 FEE INCREASE AND SOLID WASTE GENERAL SERVICE RATE ADJUSTMENTS July 24, 2007 · 6 p.m. Council Chambers Chula Vista City Hall . 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 ~If? , CHi'il'X'I'1srA I 6NVrRDNM6NTAL.. S6RvrC6S .... 1800 Maxwell Road, Chula Vi5ta, CA 91911 EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED AB 939 FEE INCREASE AS 939, known as the Waste Management Act of 1989, is a State law that requires cities and counties to divert 50% of the waste going to the landfills. AS 939 was an unfunded State mandate, which provided for jurisdictions to charge for the costs to develop, implement and administer programs and services required to meet this goal. Chula Vista's AS 939 fee is collected on the gross receipts for solid waste services by the contracted hauler and forwarded to the City monthly. The fee is equitably distributed across commercial, industrial and residential customers, based upon their level of trash service. An AS 939 fee increase from 2.5% to 5% will generate an additional approximate amount of $450,000, totaling $900,000 annually and would equate to the following on a monthly invoice; . 32 gal cart =: an increase from $.27 to $.56 per month . 64 gal cart =: an increase from $.35 to $.72 per month . 96 gal cart =: an increase from $.42 to $.85 per month .3 cubic yd commercial bin, serviced 1 time per week =: an increase from $1.97 to $4.03 per month ./>0 T~ funding received from the proposed increase would be used to: . Offset the current funding shortfall in the Household Hazardous Waste Program . Open the HHW facility one additional day during the week (as needed to meet the volume demands) . Provide several, one-day special events to collect batteries, fluorescent lamps and electronics in different sections of the city . Development, implementation and administration of the Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Ordinance . Work towards increasing various recycling program documentation/reporting requirements and associated administration . Backyard composting program composting bins . Commercial and industrial "Zero Waste - Stop Wa$ting Resources" Program technical assistance and workshops . Assisting in developing commercial food waste and organics recycling infrastructure . Stricter enforcement of waste reduction and recycling requirements for Special Events including after event reporting AS 939 fees cannot exceed the funds required to provide the service; shall not be used for any purpose other than that for which the fee is imposed; shall not exceed the proportional cost of the service attributable to the property; and the fee must be for service that is actually used by or immediately available to the property owner. If approved, the fee adjustment would take place at the annual rate adjustment date for the respective customer service segments: large Quantity Generators (commercial and industrial services) would go into effect July 1,2007; Small Quantity Generators (residential cart services) would go into effect September 1, 2007. This is a one-time fee adjustment, not an annual fee adjustment. EXPLANATION OF ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR SOLID WASTE GENERAL SERVICE RATES General Service Rates for solid waste, recycling, yard waste and disposal are established annually. A private contractor (Contractor) with an exclusive franchise agreement (Agreement) provides these services in the City of Chula Vista. Under the terms and conditions of the Asreement, the Contractor undertakes and ag~ees to coll~ct, .transfer, transport, recycle, process and dispose of all recyclables, yard waste, and solid waste whICh IS generated and placed for collection by or upon all property located within Chula Vista. Per the Amended and Restated Recycling and Solid Waste Franchise Agreement, the Contractor is entitled to an annual rate increase for General Service Rates within the folfowing prescribed terms and conditions. The City Manager or designee reviews the rates for compliance with these terms. . The annual adjustment amount for General Service Rates does not exceed sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66.66%) of the increase in the San Diego Area Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all Urban Consumers (all items) published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of labor Statistics for the previous twelve-month period (calendar year) for which statistics are available. (PI X 66.66% =: % of rate adjustment . Notwithstanding the foregoing, at no time shall the Small Quantity Generator Rates (SQG _ cart service) exceed ninety percent (90%) of the average for the County of San Diego for the same level of service - approximately 60-gallon cart rate or standard service rate after subtracting any pass- through fees or local subsidies. This limitation is to be applied only to determine whether the Contractor is entitled to the full CPI adjustment on SQG rates, as described above. Mean County Average X 90% = Maximum rate for SQG Rate adjustments are effective July 1, for large Quantity Generators (commercial and industrial bin service customers) and September 1, for all Small Quantity Generators (cart service customers), annually. This mailing serves as notice for the proposed increase for 2007-08 and for subsequent annual rate increases in the manner described above and in the Agreement with the Contractor for the duration of the Agreement. RASIC \10NTHl Y RATES WITH PROPOSED AR 939 FEE AND PROPOSED CPI RATE ADJUSTMENT PRESENT RATES PROPOSED RATES 32 Gal 64 Gal 96 Gal ]yO Bin 32 Gal 64 Gal 96Ga! 3YD Bin $10.90 $14.12 $16.60 $78.78 Proposed cpr: 2.27% $11.16 $14.46 $16.98 $80.67 (Adj. 66.66% of 3.4%) Franchise $0.87 $1.13 $1.33 $6.30 Franchise Fee 8.0% $0.89 $1.16 $1.36 $6.45 Fee 8.0% AB 939 $0.27 $0.35 $0.42 $1.97 Proposed AB 939 $0.56 $0.72 $0.85 $4.03 Fee 2.5% Adjustment ~ Prop 218 Mailing Cost $0.05 $0.05 $0.05 $0.05 Total $12.04 $15.60 $18.35 $87.05 Total $12.66 $16.39 $19.24 $91.21 RESOLUTION NO. 2007- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING AND AUTHORIZING THE SOLID WASTE SERVICE RATE ADJUSTMENT FOR 2007- 2008 AND SUBSEQUENT RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE TERM OF THE AMENDED AND REST A TED RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista entered into a franchise agreement [Agreement] for Solid Waste Services with Allied Waste Services (formally Pacific Waste Services) in July 1999; and WHEREAS, the Agreement contains specific language and formulas for calculating annual rate adjustments, which includes limitations that ensure the Chula Vista ratepayers will continue to have some of the lowest rates for service in San Diego County; and WHEREAS, the California Constitution, Article XIII D, Section 6 (Proposition 218) requires a public hearing and property owner notification which includes: the maximum amount of the fee, the basis for the calculation, the reason for the fee and that the fee be only for the cost of service and used only for the purpose for which it is collected; and WHEREAS, the City Council has conducted the public hearing per State regulations. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby accept and authorize the rate adjustment calculation for 2007-2008 and subsequent rate adjustments per the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Recycling and Solid Waste Franchise Agreement. Presented by Approved as to form by Jack Griffin Director of General Services ~LJ\~ a~---t1//1~ Ann Moore City Attorney 1:\All"nI~y\RESO\FINA:-.JCE\Sulid W~SI" service rule aJjuslmcnl_ 07.24.1l7_uoc 4-6